Liver Flashcards

1
Q

EGD

A

Visual exam of esophagus, stomach, & duodenum.

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2
Q

TIPS procedure

A

Transjugular intrahepatic potto systemic shunt.
Interventional radiologic technique that reduces portal pressure.
Under conscious sedation, a stent is places percutaneously from right jugular vein into the hepatic vein.
Creates a connection between portal & systemic circulations.

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3
Q

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL)

A

“Banding”
Involves application of small “O” bands around the base of the varices to decrease blood supply to varices.
Cause no discomfort and pt is unaware of band presence.

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4
Q

Sclerotherapy

A

Sclerosant solution is injected into the bleeding varix or overlying submucosa.

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5
Q

Ballon tube tamponade

Aka Stegstaken-Blakmore tube

A

May be lifesaving in pts with active variceal bleeding.
3 lumens: gastric aspiration, esophageal balloon, inflated gastric balloon.
Tension is needed to be kept in place, do not leave longer than 48h

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6
Q

Nurses role in paracenthesis

A
  • Explain, answer pt questions
  • obtain VS, including weight
  • ask pt to void prior to prevent injury to bladder.
  • position pt in bed with HOB elevated
  • measure drainage, record accurately
  • describe collected fluid
  • label & send them lab for analysis
  • after physician removes cath, apply dressing to site & apply pressure; assess for leakage
  • maintain bed rest
  • weigh pt after paracentesis; record.
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7
Q

Complication of paracentesis

A

-Fluid & electrolyte imbalances

….increased BUN, decreased protein, & increased Hct may indicate hypovolemia

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8
Q

Priority problems for pts with cirrhosis.

A
  1. Excess fluid volume related to third spacing of abdominal & peripheral fluid
  2. Potential for hemorrhage due to portal hypertension
  3. Hepatic encephalopathy due to shunting of portal venous blood &/or increased ammonia levels.
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9
Q

Nutritional needs for pt with ascites

A

Low sodium diet (1-2g)
No table salt
Vitamin supplements
Low protein, high fat?

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10
Q

Complications of cirrhosis

A
  • portal hypertension
  • gastric & esophageal varices
  • biliary obstruction
  • hepatic encephalopathy
  • splenomegaly
  • peripheral edema & ascites
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11
Q

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

A

“ERCP”

Includes visual & radio graphic exam of liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas to identify cause & location of obstruction

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12
Q

Liver transplant complications

A

-acute graft rejection
Occurs 4-10th day post-op (s/s: tachycardia, fever, RUQ/flank pain, diminished bile drainage, change in bile, jaundice)

-infection
Occurs at any time

-hepatic complications
Bile leakage, abscess formation, hepatic thrombosis

-acute renal failure
Caused by hypotension, antibiotics, acute liver failure, hypothermia.

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13
Q

Ciprofloxacin

A
Antibiotic
Bactericidal 
Side effects:
-N/V
-diarrhea
-dyspepsia
-constipation
-flatulence
-confusion
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14
Q

Lactulose

A
Decreases ammonia forming organisms & increase acidity of bowel.
side effects: 
-abdominal cramping
-flatulence
-increased thirst
-abdominal discomfort
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15
Q

Metronidazole

A
Antibacterial
Used in tx of anaerobic infections
Side effects: 
-anorexia 
-nausea
-dry mouth
-metallic taste

Vaginal:

  • symptomatic vaginitis
  • abdominal cramps
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16
Q

Neomycin

A

Decrease ammonia forming organisms. Typically recommended when pt does not tolerate lactulose.

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17
Q

Norfloxacin

A
Antibiotic 
Side effects:
-nausea
-headache
-dizziness
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18
Q

Salt poor albumin

A

Decreases complications of paracentesis such as:

  • electrolyte imbalance
  • increases in serum creatinine levels secondary to large shifts of intravascular volume.
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19
Q

Propranolol

A
Antihypertensive, antianginal, anti arrhythmic, anti migraine.
Side effects:
-diminished sexual function
-drowsiness
-difficulty sleeping
-unusual fatigue/weakness
20
Q

Rifaximin

A
Site specific antibiotic
Side effects:
-flatulence
-headache
-abdominal discomfort
-rectal tenesmus
-defecation urgency 
-nausea
21
Q

Somatostatin

A

Constrict guy vessels

22
Q

Spironolactone

A

Potassium sparing diuretic
Anti hypertensive,
Antihypokalemic

Side effects:

  • hyperkalemia
  • dehydration
  • hyponatremia
  • lethargy
23
Q

Thiamine

Vitamin B1

A

Prevents, reverses thiamine deficiency.
Side effects:
Pain, induration, tenderness at IM injection site

24
Q

Common liver transplant medications.

A
  • cyclosporine
  • fluconazole
  • mycophenolate
  • nystatin
  • prednisone
  • prenisolone
  • sirolimus
  • tacrolimus
  • valganciclovir
25
Q

Liver trauma key features

A
  • RUQ pain with abdominal tenderness
  • abdominal distention & rigidity
  • guarding of abdomen
  • increased abdominal pain exaggerated by deep breathing & referred to as right shoulder pain ( Kehr’s sign)
  • hemorrhage/ hypovolemic shock
26
Q

Functions of the liver

A
  • regulates composition of blood, including amount of glucose, protein, fat that enter the blood stream.
  • removes bilirubin, ammonia, and other toxins from blood
  • processes most of the nutrients absorbed by the intestines during digestion and converts nutrients into forms that body can use.
  • stores nutrients such as Vitamin A, iron, and other minerals
  • produces cholesterol, & proteins such as albumin
  • produces clotting factors
  • metabolizes alcohol & many drugs
27
Q

Bilirubin

A

By-product of the breakdown of hemoglobin from RBCs

28
Q

Hep A

A

Oral-fecal, contaminated water/food.

15-50 days communicable, 1-2 was post symptoms.

S/S:
Fever, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, jaundice, RUQ pain

29
Q

Hep B

A

Blood transfusion, IV drug abuse, sexual contact, hemodialysis.

48-180 days

Chronic: fulminant hep is a complication of HBV that leads to liver failure.

Hep B vaccine available

30
Q

Hep C

A

Primarily blood contact, IV drug abusers, sexual contact (low)

14-180 days

Chronic progressive. No vaccine available

31
Q

Medications impacting the liver

A

Pain meds; aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, phenylbutazone.

Anti-seizure medications; phenytoin, valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital.

Anti-depressants; TCAs

Antibiotics; tetracyclines, sulfonamides, isoniazid, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin.

Cholesterol; “statins”

Cardiovascular; Amiodarone, Hydralazine, quinidine.

32
Q

4 types of cirrhosis

A
  1. Alcoholic (Laennec’s)
  2. Post necrotic cirrhosis
  3. Biliary
  4. Cardiac- from R side heart failure
33
Q

Manifestations of liver disease

A
  • jaundice
  • portal hypertension
  • ascites
  • hepatic encephalopathy
  • splenomegaly
  • blood abnormalities
  • light stools/ dark urine
  • peripheral edema
  • pruritis
  • abdominal pain
34
Q

Diagnostic tests: liver function studies

A

-ALT, AST, GGT: elevate

-alkaline phosphatase: present in
Liver & bones elevated in hepatitis

  • CBC: low RBC, H/H, WBCs, platelets
  • AFP: liver cancer marker
35
Q

Diagnostic test liver function studies cont…

A
  • prolongedPT (norm: 12-14s)
  • INR: 0.8-1.2 without coag therapy
  • hyponatremia
  • hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesmia
  • bilirubin: total (2-14 umol/L)
  • albumin: low (3.3-5)
  • ammonia: high (0-150)
  • glucose & cholesterol: abnormal

Tests: ab ultrasound, EGD, liver biopsy, CT, MRI

36
Q

Stages of portal-systemic encephalopathy

A

Stage I- prodromal

Stage II- impending

Stage III- stuporous

Stage IV- comatose

37
Q

Nursing management: ASCITES

A
  • assess for resp. distress
  • measure abdominal growth
  • high fowlers position
  • low protein, sodium diet
  • mouth care/dehydration
  • K+ sparing diuretics
  • paracentesis
  • salt poor albumin
  • daily wt
  • strict I&O
  • monitor fluid & electrolytes
  • perform “fluid wave” test
38
Q

Portal hypertension

A

Normal 3 mmHg

12mmHg= esophageal rupture

39
Q

Hepatic encephalopathy

A

Alteration in neuro status due to accumulation of ammonia

Build up of other substances such as hormones, GI toxins, other drugs

40
Q

Phases of Hepatin encephalopathy

A
  1. Onset: personality changes, disturbance of awareness, forgetfulness, irritability, & confusion.
  2. Second: hyperreflexia, asterixis, altered hand writing, violent, abusve behavior
  3. Coma: + babinski, hyperactive reflexes
41
Q

Cirrhosis nutrition

A
  • Low protein (sometimes), high carb, high cal-if signs of acute hepatic encephalopathy.
  • high carb, high protein, low salt
  • low sodium (500mg-2g)

At first sign encephalopathy decrease protein intake (sometimes)

42
Q

Why would we have a low protein diet?

A

Ammonia is a by-product of protein breakdown.

43
Q

Contraindications to liver transplant

A
  • Pulmonary HTN
  • morbid obesity
  • obstructed splanchnic blood flow,
  • MELD 50 mmHg or CPP
44
Q

Model for end stage liver disease

MELD

A

Ranges from 6 (less ill) to 40 (gravely ill). Ages 12 & over

Uses 3 routine lab results:

  • bilirubin
  • PT/INR
  • creatinine
45
Q

AST lab

A

Aspartate aminotransferase

5-40 units/L

46
Q

ALT lab

A

Alanine aminotransferase

8-20 units/L